by InTrieste
A wave of vibrant colors, elaborate costumes, and rhythmic melodies is set to sweep through northeastern Italy as the 29th Eurocarnival – European Carnival 2025 kicks off this weekend in the historic cities of Trieste and Gorizia. This year’s edition promises a spectacular celebration of cross-border unity, spotlighting the cultural richness of the region as Gorizia and Nova Gorica prepare to take center stage as the 2025 European Capital of Culture.
The festivities will commence on Friday, February 21, in Trieste, where representatives of participating groups from Austria, Switzerland, Germany, Slovenia, and Italy’s Friuli Venezia Giulia region will be officially welcomed at the Venice Giulia Chamber of Commerce in Piazza della Borsa. The event, which begins at 11 a.m., will feature remarks from Antonio Paoletti, president of the Chamber of Commerce, and Giorgio Rossi, Trieste’s Councillor for Cultural and Tourism Policies.
By early afternoon, the streets of Trieste will transform into a stage for a grand parade, beginning at 2:30 p.m. in Piazza Oberdan and winding through Via Carducci, Via Imbriani, Corso Italia, Piazza della Borsa, before culminating in Piazza Unità d’Italia. There, revelers will be treated to a traditional Monsterkonzert, a boisterous musical performance blending folk traditions with contemporary beats.
The celebration will continue on Saturday, February 22, in Gorizia, where dignitaries including Mayor Rodolfo Ziberna and Nova Gorica’s Deputy Mayor Anton Harej will greet participants at a midday reception inside the Ritter Hall of the Venice Giulia Chamber of Commerce.
At 3:00 p.m., Gorizia’s historic center will become the focal point of the Carnival’s second major parade, tracing a 1.8-kilometer route through the city’s most picturesque streets: Piazza della Vittoria, Via Roma, Via Alcide De Gasperi, Piazza del Municipio, and Corso Verdi, before returning to Piazza della Vittoria. The evening will close with a festive dinner at 7:00 p.m., hosted in collaboration with the Ad Formandum hospitality school, in a specially erected tent in Piazza della Vittoria.
With its cross-border cultural exchange, spectacular costumes, and a unifying spirit that transcends national borders, Eurocarnival 2025 serves as a vibrant prelude to a historic year for Gorizia and Nova Gorica, as they take on the mantle of Europe’s cultural capital. For two days, the cities will pulse with the energy of centuries-old traditions, proving that Carnival is more than just a festival—it’s a testament to the enduring power of cultural connection.
